Great Kills storefront blaze injures 7 firefighters, snarls traffic

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Fire raced through a storefront in Great Kills early this morning, injuring seven firefighters and snarling traffic in the area.

None of the injuries were said to be life-threatening, according to authorities.

The storefront blaze at Bella Home Improvement, 4028 Hylan Blvd., was first reported at 12:47 a.m. and went to a second alarm 10 minutes later, said an FDNY spokesman.

The fire, which started out in the second floor of the storefront - located a half-block south of Hylan Boulevard and Nelson Avenue - climbed into a floor of apartments above it. The blaze was brought under control a short time ago, the spokesman said.